Course content

This course examines climate change as a problem of practical politics at the international, national, and local levels. The course will focus on the major theoretical approaches to understanding why responding to such a serious problem (in terms of mitigation or adaption) is proving so difficult. Selected case studies will be utilized to examine possible solutions and the challenges that these propose.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

• acquire basic knowledge about the nature and mechanisms of climate change and of the specific issues taken up in designated case studies
• develop knowledge of major theoretical approaches used to understanding the difficulties of dealing with climate change
• become familiar with key proposed solutions to climate change and the difficulties these may pose (nature vs. climate issues, for example)

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

• identify, understand, and to some degree apply, the key models and theories relating to the politics of climate change
• identify dilemmas and trade-offs embodied in the proposed solutions

Learning methods and activities

2 hours of lectures per week throughout the semester and term paper supervision. In addition, some seminars will be held during the semester. Approved term paper. A list of themes for the paper will be provided.

Compulsory assignments

• Term paper

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

To be decided at the start of the course.